Awning structure



Jan. 10, 1961 C. O. STOCKTON, JR

AWNING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 16, 1959 ATTORNEY United States Pat 2,967,336 Patented Jan. 1 0, 1961 2,967,336 AWNING STRUCTURE Charles 0. Stockton, Jr., 151%7SE. Main St, C l e-Bark, Ga-

Filedjlan. 1 1959, s r. No. 737,307 4 claims. or. 20-575 This invention relates to an improved metal awning structure and the like and fastening means therefor.

The major disadvantage in .the use of metal awnings is brought about by the necessity for. placing holes through the flanges of the cover sections for accommodating fastening means for securing the cover sections of the awning to the understructure of the awning. The fastening of the metal cover sections to the undersections of the awning is also a major problem in the fabrication of'a metal awning.

Normally the cover sections, which are often referred to as Pans, are constructed of aluminum or other relatively thin metal in the shape of downturned channel members which have adjacent flanges joined together to form a scam in the form of a downturned flange between each of the sections. The understructure or bracing memimproved metal awning structure which is improved from the standpoint of appearance and structure.

ance thereof is also improved.

bets are elongated members, also normally of generally I a ,channelshape. The undersection is usually secured to the .cover sections by screws passing through the understructure as well as the cover sections. 'At best; the screws or bolts projecting through the cover sections make an unsightly appearance because such fastenings are often subject to rusting due to being subjected to allsorts of weather conditions. Chipping of the paint or enamel covering the aluminum forming the cover sections often occurs during fabrication of the awning. Leaks often appear at the places where the fastening means penetrate the cover sections because of the difficulty of sealing such openings. If the fastening means are painted in an attempt to improve their appearance even this results in an unsightly appearance due to the unevenness of the paint. Sometimes holes are placed within the flanges joining the cover sections and wire is used to tie the understructure and the cover sections together but this is impractical because of increased difficulty in fabrication and because the connection is often notsufiiciently rigid to prevent deformation of the cover sections.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide animproved metal awning structureand improvedfastening means for securing the cover sections to the understructure of the awning.

Another object of this invention is to provide fastening means for securing the cover sections of a metal awning to the understructure without the necessity of placing holes within the cover section or understructure f nr acconimodating the fastening means.

" Anotherobject of this invention is to reduce the cost of fabricating metal awnings by speeding up production by providing a simplified awning structure. i i a Another object of this invention is to reduce the cost of the fastening means for securing the cover sections of metal awnings to the understructure by simplifying the fastening means and yet providing a more effective fastening means.

An important object of this invention is to produce an Another object ofthis invention is to provide an awning of more rigid construction which presents an unmarred surface for improved resistance to weathering as well as amore attractive appearance.

The construction designed to ,carry out the invention will behereinafter described, together with other features thereof." 7

i The invention will :be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying dra'wings'forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a metal awning constructed in accordance with the present invention, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration,

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Figure l, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view, looking from the inside of the awning shown in Figure 1, of an improved fastening means constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing a metal awning constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. 'The metal awning shown includes a plurality of cover sections A which are fastened to the understructure B. The cover sections A are generally in the shape of inverted channel members having adjacent legs joined together to form flanges C between adjacent cover sections. The understructure B is shown in the form of elongated channelrnembers'haying' outturned flanges carried by the freeends of the legs thereof. The fastening means for joining the cover sections A to the understructure B is shown in the form of a generally channel shaped members D preferably'constructed of rela tively thin metal. The channel members D each havea transverse slot in vertical alignment withthe legs running' across the legs and the web portion of the channel members. Gripping means are carried by the free ends of each'of the channel members in the form of outturned flanges carried by the free edge s' of the legs and'inturned flanges which are carried by the free edges of the first mentioned flanges. The flanges of the understructure, which is preferably constructed of relatively thin resilient metal, are manually urged together as shown in dotted line position ni Figure 2 and the flanges thereof are confined between'the's'pace defined by the flanges carried by the fastening means D. i

' The cover sections A each include a web portion 10 and a pair of legs or flanges 1 1 and 12. The flanges 11 are each somewhat longer than the flanges 12 so that the flange 11 may be crimped or tuned downwardly over the flange 12, as is best shown in Figure 3, to form a flange C between adjacent portions of the cover sections A. The downturned flange '11 a maybe spot welded as at 12a to the flange 12 to form a secure joint. The cover sections A may be painted or covered with an enamel and if desired an additional sealing means may be applied, for making the flange Ca water tight front portion 14. The upper portion and the front portion are joined by a downwardly curving portion 15. Side portions 16 and 17 are also constructed of cover sections A. The assembly is provided with a suitable flashing 18 which includes an upturned flange 18a secured to the building or structure with which the awning is to be used and a substantially horizontal flange 18b which is secured by suitable fastening means such as screws 18c to the top portion 13 of the awning. The side sections 16 and 17 must be fastened to the top and front sections 13 and 15, respectively, and this is normally done by a use of a covering strip 19 which is secured by suit-' able fastening means such as screws 19a which pass through the side sections and into one of the legs of the adjacent cover section. The understructure B includes a plurality of elongated metal sections 20 generally in the form of channel members having relatively long legs 21 and 22 which are joined together adjacent corresponding edges by a web 23. A pair of diverging legs or flanges .24 and 25 are carried by the free edges of the legs 21 and 22, respectively. It is preferred that the sections 20 forming the understructure B be constructed of relatively thin resilient metal such as sheet steel.

The sections 20 may be extruded in the shape illustrated or they may be formed therein in a stamping operation and the like. The sections 20 should be sufficiently flexible to be manually depressed into a shape shown in dotted line position in Figure 2 so as to be confined within the fastening means to be further described below for securing the undersection B'to the cover sections A. The undersection B supports and gives added rigidity to the cover sections A which would otherwise sag and become distorted. The sections 20 are joined together adjacent their ends by suitable gusset plates 20a provided with fastening means in the form of screws 20b which pass through the flanges 22. If desired, the undersection B may include additional sections 20 to insure adequate bracing.

The fastening means D are preferably used at each of the flanges C in order to insure a sufficiently rigid connection between the sections 20 of the undersection B and the various cover sections of the awning. The fastening means D includes a substantially channel shaped member 30 having a pair of substantially vertical legs 31 and 32 which are joined together adjacent corresponding edges by a web 33. Gripping means are carried at the free edges of the legs 31 and 32 and include outwardly projecting flanges 34 and 35 which carry the inwardly turned flanges 36 and 37, respectively. The flanges 34 and 36 together with the flanges 35 and 37 each define a space S for accommodating the outturned flanges 24 and 25 of the undersections 20. If desired, the fastening means D may be constructed of relatively thin flexible metal but any relatively thin material which will provide adequate rigidity between the undersection B and 'the cover section A may be used.

By reference to Figures 2 and 3 it will be noted that the fastening means D is provided with a transverse slot D which is shown passing through a substantial portion of the legs 31 and 32 in substantially vertical alignment therewith and through the web 33 for accommodating the flange C which is shown deformed at C for placing these elements in locking engagement. The deformed portion C may be placed therein by any suitable tool preferably by one which has spaced fixed supports and an opposed movable pressure applying member therebetween for placing a dent or deformed portion in the flange C as is shown at C'. It is evident that the fastening means D may be cheaply constructed from extruded shapes and readily applied to the flanges C and the flanges C deformed as shown at C to provide a rigid connection therebetween. The undersections 20 may be easily engaged thereby by pressing the legs 21 and 22 together to move the flanges 24 and 25 into the space S to be thus confined by the fastening means D with a resilient connection to provide great rigidity for the overall awning structure. The front surface 14 of the awning presents an unmarred surface for an attractive appearance as well as improved functional characteristics.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be'rnade without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a plurality of metal awning cover sections having abutting edges thereof forming flanges, an elongated relatively narrow understructure including, a first pair of spaced legs joined at adjacent corresponding edges thereof and constructed of resilient material, an improved fastening means securing the cover sections to the understructure said fastening means including, a second pair of spaced legs joined adjacent corresponding edges thereof, and gripping means carried adjacent each of the free ends of the second legs, said second legs of each fastening means having a transverse vertical slot therein, and means confining said flanges within said slots,'whereby the flanges of the cover sections may be received respectively within said slots, and whereby the understructure is resiliently engaged by said gripping means.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, in which said gripping means includes, an outwardly projecting arm carried by each of the free ends of said second legs, and an inwardly projecting arm carried by each of the outwardly projecting arms defining a space therebetween,

and in which said understructure includes, an outwardly projecting flange carried adjacent each of the free edges of said first legs for resilient engagement within said space, and in which said flanges are deformed to confine same within said slots.

3. In a metal awning having understructure and cover sections with abutting edges thereof forming a flange, an improved fastening for securing the cover sections to the understructure including, a pair of spaced legs joined adjacent corresponding edges thereof, and gripping means carried adjacent each of the free ends of the legs, said legs having a transverse vertical slot therein, and a deformed flange portion between said legs, whereby a flange is received within said slot and confined therein, and whereby the undersection may be engaged by said grip' ping means.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3, in which said gripping means includes, an outwardly projecting arm carried adjacent the free edge of each of the legs, and an inwardly projecting arm carried by each of said outwardly projecting arms, whereby the understructure is engaged by the gripping means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS v Britton Nov. 29, 1892 Guttman June 17, 1958 

